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troutman · 01-16-2008, 04:06 PM

http://www.planetary.org/explore/topics/messenger/

Mercury is the least explored terrestrial planet; fully half of the little rocky world has never been seen up close. MESSENGER will change that, capturing a comprehensive survey of the planet's cratered and rocky surface, vaporous atmosphere, and inexplicable magnetic field using seven science instruments. "MESSENGER" is an acronym that stands for MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging. Once it reaches Mercury, the mission will last 1 Earth year, which corresponds to 4 Mercury years, but only 2 Mercury solar days!

MESSENGER is now in transit to Mercury, but the journey will take a very long time. To conserve on fuel, the spacecraft must rely on gravity assist flybys of Earth, Venus (twice), and Mercury (3 times) before settling into orbit around Mercury in March of 2011. The Earth flyby took place successfully on August 2, 2005, and the two Venus flybys on October 24, 2006 and June 5, 2007. The next significant event on MESSENGER's calendar is its first flyby of Mercury, on January 14, 2008. The flyby will be the first spacecraft visit to Mercury in 33 years.

01-16-2008, 04:06 PM	#5
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	http://www.planetary.org/explore/topics/messenger/ Mercury is the least explored terrestrial planet; fully half of the little rocky world has never been seen up close. MESSENGER will change that, capturing a comprehensive survey of the planet's cratered and rocky surface, vaporous atmosphere, and inexplicable magnetic field using seven science instruments. "MESSENGER" is an acronym that stands for MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging. Once it reaches Mercury, the mission will last 1 Earth year, which corresponds to 4 Mercury years, but only 2 Mercury solar days! MESSENGER is now in transit to Mercury, but the journey will take a very long time. To conserve on fuel, the spacecraft must rely on gravity assist flybys of Earth, Venus (twice), and Mercury (3 times) before settling into orbit around Mercury in March of 2011. The Earth flyby took place successfully on August 2, 2005, and the two Venus flybys on October 24, 2006 and June 5, 2007. The next significant event on MESSENGER's calendar is its first flyby of Mercury, on January 14, 2008. The flyby will be the first spacecraft visit to Mercury in 33 years.